Pressão Arterial e Estado Nutricional em Escolares de Instituições Privadas: Estudo Comparativo entre Duas Escolas
Pressão Arterial e Estado Nutricional em Escolares de Instituições Privadas: Estudo Comparativo entre Duas Escolas
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.82082102605062
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Palavras-chave: Hipertensão arterial; obesidade infantil; fatores de risco cardiovascular.
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Keywords: Hypertension; Childhood obesity; Cardiovascular risk factors; Schoolchildren.
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Abstract: Elevated blood pressure and arterial hypertension in children and adolescents have shown a progressive increase over recent decades, mainly associated with early exposure to cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy dietary habits. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of elevated blood pressure, arterial hypertension, and overweight among students from two private schools in a municipality in the countryside of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, as well as to compare the blood pressure and nutritional profiles between the institutions evaluated. This was a cross-sectional, observational, prevalence-based study conducted with students aged 5 to 19 years. Anthropometric data, including weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index, were collected, in addition to blood pressure measurements performed on three separate occasions according to current pediatric guidelines. The final sample consisted of 208 students, including 70 from School 1 and 138 from School 2. A higher prevalence of altered blood pressure was observed in School 1 compared with School 2 (52.9% versus 34.8%; p = 0.012). Regarding nutritional status, a statistically significant association was found between age group and overweight (p = 0.036), with a higher prevalence among children (53.5%) than among adolescents (37.9%). No significant association was observed between age group and altered blood pressure (p = 0.755). The findings demonstrate a high prevalence of altered blood pressure and excess weight in the studied population, highlighting the importance of early screening and the implementation of strategies aimed at promoting cardiovascular health among children and adolescents. Although differences were observed between the institutions evaluated, the study design does not allow the establishment of a causal relationship between school-related characteristics and the outcomes analyzed.
- Laís de Souza Rodrigues
- Luiza Campos Neves
- Pedro Ivy Venâncio Camara Esteves
- Ivana Picone Borges de Aragão
- Maria Aparecida de Almeida Souza Rodrigues